HC Deb 23 March 1953 vol 513 cc482-3
42. Miss Ward

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power the total liability for pensions for employees of the private gas companies and for municipal gas companies, respectively, at the time of the take-over.

Mr. Geoffrey Lloyd

I regret that the information is not available.

Miss Ward

As it has now been decided to do something about the pensions for railway employees, will my right hon. Friend consider doing something for the employees of private gas companies? Does he not think it scandalous that one section of the community should get pensions because they were employed by municipal gas companies, while other people have been debarred? In view of the new decision of the Government regarding railway employees, will he reconsider this matter, because it is one of great urgency?

Mr. Lloyd

There has always been a distinction between those who have a statutory pension and those who have not.

Miss Ward

That is not the argument at all. The railway employees were not employees of municipal undertakings within the meaning of the Act. If they can be considered, why cannot people employed by private gas companies be considered? They are on equal terms, and I beg the right hon. Gentleman to reconsider this matter.